Refining apparatus



` Oct. 26 Y, 1926.

Filed Feb. 2

C. H.- LEACH REFINING APPARATUS l 1925 3 Sheets-Shea?. 3

Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REFINING APPARATUS.

Application led February 21, 1923. Serial No. 620,522.

The present invention relates to oil' reining apparatus and more particularly to condensing apparatus employed in conjunction with apparatus for distilling crude or partially refined oil.

One object of the present invention is to providea new and improved form of condensing and cooling apparatus which insures an accurate control of temperature during the passage of the oil vapor through the apparatus, permitting the condensed vapor to be fractionated and products having different boiling points to be separated and withdrawn from the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a condensing and cooling apparatus which utilizes the heat extracted from the oil vapor in the condensing operation in a useful manner, preferably for elevating the temperaturevof the charge oil which is subsequently passed through the refining stills.

A still further object of the invention is `to reorganize and improve apparatus of this general character with the intent of particularly adapting such heat exchange apparatus to oil refining operations.

lVith these and other objects in view, a

feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of adjustable channels or passes by means of which the paths of the cooling medium may be varied as desired, the construction also permitting the employment of two or more cooling mediums of a different character if necessary.

A further feature of the present invention contemplates the provision` of a plurality of demountable and interchangeable `units of different capacities enclosedwith-v in a receiving shell of such adesign that a variety of combinations of units of different capacities may be mounted within the same shell, permitting the apparatus to be modi- `lie'din a manner to successfully handle the condensation of oil vapor under different workingl conditions. i

A further feature of the .invention consists in a construction by virtue of which the condensate pockets or basins are made readily accessible without disconnectin the various liquid connections and in a dition the interior of the cooling tubes is rendered accessiblel for cleaning purposes without dismantling .the apparatus.

Still further feature-sof the invention consist in certain novelfeatures of construction, combinations and arrangements of parta lrilled inthe art from the following descripion,

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the' preferred form of the invention Fig. 1 represents a section in elevation of a condenserembodying the novel features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus with ythe cover plat-e removed; Fig. 3 is a section upon the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 showing the supporting means for the lower ends of the tubes, together with the discharge outlets for the condensed vapor; Fig.' 4 i-s a detail upon the line 4 4 of Fig l; and Figs. 5 and 6 represent a longitudinal section and transverse section respectively, showing a modified form of construction for arying the path of flow of the cooling efect.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is preferably employed in a system comprising four continuously operating stills with a condensing and cooling apparatus for each still. The charge loil employed for cooling and condensing the vapor from the still may be pumped through the four separate condensers in series before delivery to the first still in the battery. In thel first still, a portion of the charge oil is evaporated and the oil thereafter is delivered to succeeding stills, which operate at a progressively `higher temperature. `The vapor resulting' `from the partial evaporation of this oil' is delivered from each still to a condensing and cooling unit and is thereafter guided 'HEISSUED through a. lseries of vapor p.asses,'encounter ing cooling tubes during its passage therethrough'. Owing to the character of the vapor passes and the design and arrangement ofthe cooling tubes, the V'vapor temperature is progressively lowered and at different points in the vapor passes condensate-of different boiling points is collected. The cooling and condensation of the vapor is accomplished a series of banks of cooling tubes through which charge oil is caused to pass progressively, starting at the'c'ondenser receiving the coldest vapor and finallyl passing through the condenser receiving the hottest vapor, the oil being delivered therefrom tothe first still in the series. In certain cases it 4may be desirable, in order to accomplish the final condensation and cooling of steam, fixed gases and air, to substitute for the charge oil a cooling medium,

such as water or air, this cooling medium passing through the banks of tubes in the coldest section of the condenser. The charge oil not o nly provides an efficient cooling medium but in addition conserves the heat abstracted from the vapor which, under normal conditions of operation, is wasted. In ordinary practice where the condensers are employed in conjunction with continuously oper ating stills, the oil vapor may enter the condenser at 300 F. from the coldest still and ()O F. from the hottest still, In each case the oil vapor is completely condensed, leaving only air and a certain proportion of fixed gases to be discharged at a temperature of less than F. On the other hand, the charge oil may enter the coldest condenser at F. and after passing through this condenser, together with the succeeding condensers, may be discharged into the first still within a few degrees of the vaporizing temperature. In order that the temperature of the fixed gases and air may be reduced to a minimum and also that varying quantities of steam may be successfully condensed, a relatively small quantity of cold water may be employed as a cooling medium in the last stages of condensation. As this cooling medium is employed for the condensation of steam, it is possible to heat the water to a point at which it may be successfully used about the refining plant, and in so doing the heat may be conserved at a considerable saving. In this connection it will be evident to those skilled in the art that different refining processes and different grades of oil require different quantities of steam for agitationv of the oils in the stills and this steam is eventually delivered to the condenser with theoil vapor. In order, therefore, that the condenser may successfully handle the condensation of varying quantities of steam` it is highly desirable that an adjustment of the water and charge oil passages be .provided for, in order that the water may be made to pass through a larger proportion of the cooling tubes in the condenser and the charge oil a correspondingly smaller portion of the tubes if so desired. A further advantage of employing charge oil for the coolin medium is due to the presence of quantities of Water in the charge oil. In ordinary processes of refining, this water upon entering the stills is suddenly converted into steam, creating a pressure so great that the relief valve with which the still is provided is opened, permitting the steam, together with a certain amount of oil vapor, to be discharged. The discharge of this oil vapor, which is a matter of comparatively frequent occurrence, is naturally objectionable and creates a distinct fire hazard. In the present apparatus the gradual heating of the oil during its passage through the cooling tubes permits the occluded Water to be heated and evaporated into steam without injurious effect, the charge oil containing this steam being subsequently delivered to the stills without creating sudden pressure and with no cessation in the operation of the still.

The improved apparatus shown in the drawings comprises generally an enclosing shell indicated at 10 of substantially rectangular form. This shell is open at opposite ends and encloses a series of banks of cooling tubes indicated generally at 12. The lower end of the shell is closed by a supporting base member 140i rectangular shape` which is securely connected to the shell through flanged connections indicated at 10 and 17. The base member is provided with a transverse web 18 which forms a single unitary support for the several banks of tubes in the condenser. As indicated, the web is provided with a series of openings 2() within which the lower ends of the tubes are received and secured in the usual lnanner. Each bank of tubes at its upper end is connected into a separate head indicated at 22, the head being closed by a detachable cover 24 which seals a passage 26 communicating with the open upper ends of each bank of tubes. The head connectedto the upper end of each bank of tubes is separate and independent of each of the other heads and has no mechanical connection with the other heads or the enclosing shell, the heads being supported entirely by the tubes themselves. The lower ends of the tubes extend through the web 18 and communicate with a series of chambers or channels 30 formed in the base member through the provision of integral partition Walls 32. The passage of the vai por around the several banks of tubes is controlled by upper and lower baflie plates indicated respectively at 27 and 28.v These baffles plates extend across the shell 10 between the tubes, and the lower baffles 28 are. securely connected to the walls of the shell through angle connections 31 to which the baffles are bolted. As will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 1, the baffle plates 2S extend upwardly within the shell 10 from partition walls 32 formed upon the web 18 U5 of the ba'se member 14, thesebaflie plate-s aiding in the formation of separate compartments or chambers within which the condensate is collected. The upper series of baffles 27 are connected at opposite sides 120 to the shell through similar angles 34 and extend downwardly part way through the shell in a manner to controlthe fiow of oil vapor and to leave open a continuous but tortuous passage therefor. In this construction the oil vapor to be condensed enters through a nozzle 40 connected to the side of the shell 10 and is thereafter directed through the various vapor passes, encountering the cooling tubes 12 during its travel 130 therethrough. The hot vapor which may vary in temperature from 300650 F. depending upon the still from which it is discharged first'encounters the double bank of -tubes shown particularly at 44. Aftercomdifferent banks of tubes, owing to the widely varying temperatures of these tubes during the operation of 'the condenser must necessarily vary. Inasmuch as it is'desirable as a matter of design to make the tubes in each bank comparatively long, it will be further evident that the total difference in expansion of each bank of tubes due to variation of temperatures will assume considerable proportions. By virtue of the present construction in which the lower ends of the several banks of tubes are connected to a single unitary base, whereas the upper ends of the tubes in each bank are connected to separate and independent heads, the unequal contraction and expansion of each bank of tubes is readily accomplished through the movements of the head. Furthermore if the different tubes in. each single bank tend to vary in length, due to diii'erent temperatures, a slight tilting movement of the floating head is permitted without imposing undue strains upon the apparatus.

The charge oil or other cooling medium conveniently enters the condenser through an opening 55 communicating with the chamber 60, as shown in Fig. 4. From this chamber the oil passes upwardly through a .portion of the tubes in the bank 48 and is discharged from the upper end into the closed chamber or passage 26. From this point the oil is directed downwardly through the remainder of the tubes and the bank 48 into the next adjacent compartment 62. Thereafter the cycle is repeated in the bank of tubes 46 and in the 'double bank of tubes 44, the charge oil being finally discharged through a delivery nozzle 64 communicating with the chamber 66. after having been heatedto a considerably higher temperature. During the passage of the oil vapor through 'the condenser, the condensate is deposited upon the walls of the tubes and the surfaces of the baiies. This condensate after it is de posited runs down the walls of the tubes and baffles and is collected in a series of compartments formed by the partitions 32 in conjunction with intermediate partition walls 70, as indicated clearly in Fig. l. This condensate having different boiling points and different specific gravities may-be withdrawn from the several collecting compartments'i` through delivery nozzles or openings 7 2.

The base member 14, in which the channels are formed, together with the supporting web for the lower ends of the tubes, is preferably made of cast iron which is-only slight- ATt ly ai'ected,fif at all, by the corrosive action of the condensed vapor. On the other hand', the tubes themselves must be protected so far as possible from the corrosive action of this condensate and to thisend the lower ends of the tubes are surrounded by a series of elevated pads which project integrally from the web 18 and serve to form basins for the collection of the condensate around the lower ends of the tubes and at the same time maintain the condensate from 'direct engagement with the tubes. It will be evident that the level of the delivery openings 72 is so located' with respect to fthese elevated pads that the liquid level;v of ,the condensate ordinarily is below the upper surface of the pads and there is no direct contact of the condensate with the walls of the tubes except as the drops of condensate are deposited thereon and run down the tubes. The oils emplo-yed in usual refining operations contain quan tities of chemicals which when heated to high temperatures become very active corrosive agents. The present construction minimizes and tends to avoid the injurious effects of such corro-sive actions, owing to the rela- 'tively heavy cast iron ba'sins in which t-he condensate is collected an'd the vertical positionof the tubes which causes the condensate to be immediately drained therefrom. The presence of im urities in the condensate requires cleaning o the collecting basins and passages, and to simplify this operation openings 75 are located opposite the delivery opening 72 in such a manner that removal of the plugs 7 6 permits the basins or compartments to be easily ilulshed out by disconnecting the outlets 72. It will be evident that the cleaning of these basins is accomplished without 'disconnecting the tubes or the upper and lower heads.

The shell 10 is surmounte'd by a ycover casting which is secured thereto through flanged connections 92 and 93 and completely encloses the space within which the floating heads 22 move. It will be observed from an inspection of Fig. l that the cover plate, the outer shell and the base member are sealed along their meeting faces in order that the oil vapor may be completely confined therein.

contactl directly with the oil vapor, as the chambers or channels formed in the base 14 and through which the oil fiows are separated from thevapor passes by the integral web 18 and the passages communicating with the upper open ends of the cooling tubes are enclosed b y sealing the cover plates 24 to the There is no opportunity for the 'cooling medium in the form of chargy oil to ISU complementary portion of the Heating head 22. The complete separation of the oil vapor and cooling medium is of considerable importance in apparatuspf this type, especially if it is desired to employ Water as the 'ooling medium, as the direct contact of the Water and oil vapor immediately generates steam with a resulting explosion and damage to the apparatus.

In the present form of apparatus, it is considered preferable to cool the last bank of tubes by means of Water which may enter the tubes through an opening 80 communicating with a channel 82 formed in the base member and be discharged therefrom through an opening 94 communicating with the next adjacent channel 96. This cooling feature is employedonly after the temperature of the oil vapor has been reduced to a temperature which is approximatelythe entering temperature of the charge oil.

The oil vapor after completing its traverse of the various vapor passes is discharged outwardly from the condenser through a nozzle indicated at 98, Which `-may communicate n'ith any suitable form ot vacuum pump, the interior of the condenser' being maintained at a partial vacuum. The cooling medium such as the water and charge oil is pumped through the cooling tubes in any desired manner. The channels formed in the base member 14 are closed by cover members 100 and 102, Which are connected to the lower portion of the base member and are provided with ribs '104, which cooperate with the partitions 32 to close the channels. The closure of the channels in this manner through the employment of removable cover plates permits the operation of the condenser to be varied by the substitution of di'lii'erent cover plates having differently located ribs' in order to cut out certain banks of tubes if so desired. It will be obvious that by substituting for the cover plates shown similar cover plates having differently located ribs the flow of the cooling medium may be diverted and changed in accordance with vaiying conditions.

The employment of a condenser shell of substantially rectangular form Within Which are enclosed a plurality of banks of tubes of similar rectangular form permits the tube units to be varied Within practical limits Without varying the form of the outer shell;

as for example the double bank of tubes initially enclosed by the oil vapor in the illustrated embodiment of the invention might be replaced by tivo single banks. or a series of double banks instead of single banks might be employed. This feature is of considerable practical importance in oil relining apparatus as it permits an adjustment of the Width of the oil passes in order to insure a uniform rate of velocity of the oil vapor. Furthermore the construction of the condenser by virtue of which the lower ends of the tubes and the communicating channels formed in the base 14 are exposed upon'removal of the cover plates 100 permits ready access to this portion of the condenser Without disconnecting the pipes for admitting and discharging the cooling medium or for handling the condensate. It will be evident that in the illustrated embodiment of the invention provision is made for removing condensate from eightdilierent points in the condenser, the condensate removed from these points either being mixed to form a blend or kept separate, as desired.

The manner in which the circulation of cooling n'iedium through the interior of the tubes may be varied is Well illustrated in Figs- 5 and 6. lt will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 4 that two separate cooling mediun'is are caused to circulate through the different banks or tubes, the charge oil being admitted to the passage 60 thrmigh the inlet 55 and thereafter circulatingl progressively through successive banks 'of tubes until it -is discharged outwardly through the passage 66 and outlet (il. 'l`hc last bank of tubes as shown in these two iigurcs may be cooled by Water delivered to the passage 82 through the inlet ,80 and after circulating through the last bank of tubes being discharged through the passage 96 and the outlet 94. By providing diierent cover members, as indicated at 100 and 102 in Fig. 5. the path of circulation may be varied. In this construction a cooling meH4 dium, such as Water, is first admitted to the passage 82 through the'intake 80 and after passing through the last bank of tubes is discharged through the passage 96 and outlet 94.. The second cooling medium, such as charge oil, is admitted through the intake 104 into a passage 106 and after circulat! the art that one feature of the present inven tion contemplates means for selectively controlling the cooling effect ot the. condenser tubes in such a manner that the character of the resulting condensate may be controlled as desired. This control may be exercised by variation of the path of flow of a single cooling medium or through the employment of a plurality of cooling mediums with a variation of the path of iow of either or CPI both of the mediums. It is tobe understood therefore that claims directed to variations of' the path of flow of a cooling medium to graduate the condensate are not confined to the employment of a vsingle cooling medium.

It will be understood by those skilled in -the art that certain features of the present invention are not limited in their application to oil refining apparatus orto condensing apparatus and that the present invention is intended to cover' certain of these features which are peculiarly adapted to embodiment in apparatus of the same general character, even though not employed for the specific purposes outlined.

I claim:

1. Reining apparatus comprising a series of tubes, means for directing a flow of vapor about the exterior of the tubes, successive and independent condensate basins surrounding the lower ends of groups of the tubes,and means for direc-ting a cooling medium through the interior of the tubes designed to permit variation of the path of flow of the medium in order to vary the cooling eilect and graduate the condensate collected in the basins.

2. Refining apparatus comprising a series of banks of vertical tubes, means for directing a flow of vapor about the exterior'of the c tubes, a series of independent basins surrounding the lower portions of the tubes and adapt-ed to collect condensate. connections with each of the basins permitting the removal of condensate therefrom, and means for directing cooling mediums through the interior of the tubes designed to 'provide for variations in the paths of: flow to vary the cooling eiectv and in consequence the character of condensate collected in the basins.

3. Apparatuslfor fractionating oil vaporl 4 comprising a series of condenser tubes, means for passlng oil vapor through the space surrounding the exterior of the tubes, and means for directing cooling medium through the vinterior of the tubes having'provi'sion for varying the path of' How of themedium through successive tubes of the series in a manner to control the temperature of condensation and graduater the condensate;

4. Refining apparatus comprising av plurality of banks of condenser tubes, a base member in which the lower ends of the tubes are mounted, a series of condensate'basins formed in the member about the tubes, a series of' ribs projecting downwardly from the base" member to provide a separate channel for each bank of tubes, and a detachable 'cover member having ribs cooperating with certain of the depending ribs to direct the flow of .a cooling medium or mediums progressively through the different banks of tubes.

rality of vertical tubes, a base member having an integral transverse web in which the lower ends of the tubes are mounted, an outer wall' formed upon the base member and 4extending substantially above and below the web, a shell enclosing the upper ends of the tubes and secured to the upper portion of the Wall, a series of' condensate basins formed in the upper portion of the web and surrounding the lower ends of the tubes, and liquid outlets extending from the separateI condensate basins to permit Withdrawal of condensate therefrom.

6. Refining apparatus con'iprising a plurality of vertical tubes. a lower head casting in which the lower ends of the tubes are mounted, a series of condensafe basins formed in the head casting and surrounding the lower ends of the tubes, liquid outlets extending f'rom the condensate basins and adapted to' drain condensate therefrom,

and a series of openings in the head casting formed opposite the liquid Voutlets and adapted to provide means for flushing out the condensate basins. -v ,i

7. Refining appara-tus comprising a series of vertical condenser tubes, a lower head casting having a transverse .weby in which the ends of the. tubes lare mounted, a series of elevated pads formed upon the .webfand surrounding the lower ends'of` the tubes, and partition members yto providel a *series .of condensate basins, delivery. outlets connected with the lowermost 'portion of each condensate basin, lmeans for ,directing vapor about the exterior of thevtubes, and means for passing'a cooling medium vthroughthe interior of the'tubesyf-` ff f f 8. Refining apparatus 'comprisingfa series ofbanks of vertical condenser tubes, a sin gle unitary headcastingy having altransverse web in which the-lower ends of'allof the tubes are"moun`ted, Iaseries oflcondensat'e basins formed in ther upper-portion offthe head casting, independent headsfconnected to the upper' portion oteaclr bank of tubes.y an enclosing shell surrounding the-tubes and connected tothe head castingfbaiiieplates secured' to thel shell and extending between the banks of tubes, and meansforvdirecting the flow of 'a 'cooling medium through the interior of thetubes.v f

'9; Refining apparatus comprising a'serres of banks of tubes, a single unitary head in which one end-of all of the tubes are mounted, independent headsiconnected tothe cpposite end of each bank of tubes, an enclosing shell surrounding the tubes-and connected with the unitary head, bathe plates extending from between the independent heads partially throughout the length of the of the tubes and means for directing the flow of cooling medium through the interior of the tubes.

10. Apparatus for fractionating oil vapor comprising a series of vertical condenser tubes, means for passing vapor to be condensed through the space surrounding the exterior ofthe tubes and a detachable closure having partitions thereon to form a series of passages communicating with the lower open ends of the tubes for directing the flow of cooling medium therethrough, the closure being adapted to be replaced in a manner to vary the path of flow of cooling medium through successive tubes and graduate the condensate as desired.

11. Refining apparatus comprising a series of banks of tubes, a unitary head connecting the tubes at one end and having cooling fluid directing ribs formed thereon, a phirality of independent heads connecting the tubes at the opposite ends and detachable closure means cooperating with the directing ribs when in place to form liquid passages communicating with the interior of the tubes and to permit selective control of the liquid passages to vary the path of flow through the interior of the tubes.

12. `Apparatus for fractionating oil vapor comprising a plurality of condenser tubes, a head to which the tubes are secured at one end, means for passing oil vapor about the exterior of the tubes, a plurality of partitions extending from the head opposite the vapor space and a detachable closure having partitions coopera-ting with a part only of the first mentioned partitions to form passages for directing cooling medium in a predetermined path through the interior of the tubes, the closure being adapted to be replaced by anotherto vary the passages and the flow of cooling medium, and thus control the temperatures of fractionation and graduate the condensate as desired.

13. Refining apparatus comprising a tube supporting head having a transverse partition, a plurality of open ended tubes extending through the partition and connected thereto, a plurality of condensate basins formed upon the upper side of the partition, a plurality of liquid passageways formed upon the under side of the partition communicating with the open ends of lthe tubes, and a detachable cover plate connected to the supporting head and adapted to close the passages.

14. Refining apparatus comprising a unitary head casting having a transverse partition formed integral therewith, a series of open ended tubes passing through and connected to the partition at one end, a head connected to the opposite end of the tubes, a collecting basin surrounding the tubes above the transverse partition, means upon the partition for maintaining liquid condensate out of contact 'with the tubes, and a series of passages :formed in the tube support upon the opposite side of the partition andcommunicating with the open ends of the tubes.

' 15. Refining apparatus comprising a unitary tube supporthaving a transverse partition formed therein, a series of open ended tubes passing through the partition at Vtheir lower ends, a series of separate collecting basins formed in the tube support above the partition, openings communicating with the basins to permit the withdrawal of liquid therefrom, an enclosing shell surrounding the tubes above the support, means for forming a series of vapor passes about the tubes to keep the vapor in contact with the extcrior of the tubes, and means for directing,

the circulation of a cooling agent through 8 the interior of the tubes.

16. Refining apparatus comprising a plurality of vertical tubes, a transverse head in which the lower ends of the tubes are mounted, a shell enclosing the tubes and connected with the head, a chamber communicating with the lower ends of the tubes below the head, a series of condensate basins formed in the upper portion of the head and surrounding the lower ends of the tubes, and liquid outlets communicating with the separate condensate basins to permit complete withdrawal of condensate therefrom.

17. Apparatus for fractionating oil vapor, comprising a series of banks of condenser tubes, means for passing oil vapor through the space surrounding the exterior of the tubes, means for selectively controlling the cooling effect of the tubes, and means for withdrawing condensate from the lowermost portion of the space surrounding the tubes.

18. Refining apparatus comprising a series of banks of tubes, a Aunitary head connecting the tubes at one end and having a series of cooling fluid directing ribs thereon,l a plurality of independent floating heads connecting the tubes at the opposite ends, a shell enclosing the tubes, baiiie plates connected to the shell extending lengthwise of the tubes from between the oatng heads partway toward the opposite ends of the tubes, and a detachable closure cooperating with the directing ribs to provide liquid passages communicatingv with the interior of the tubes.

CHARLES H'. LACH. 

